Xie Luo made sure Rina was comfortable before using red cinnabar powder to draw a hidden dragon formation around the cluster of stones.
'This should mask her presence for some time.'
Xie Luo walked to where Rina was before she abruptly fell to the ground. She grabbed her chest in pain, cold sweat seeping out of her forehead. 'Looks like I'm running out of time.' She took in a deep breathe trying to calm her erratic heartbeat before moving forward to Rina's side.
She gazed at the sleeping child, fondness evident in her eyes. How she wished she could be with her for a longer period but her time was running out.
She kissed her softly on the forehead before smoothing out the girl's ruffled hair. 'You will survive Rina.' Taking one last look at her, she covered the entrance of the cave with a large stone.
She looked up at the gray sky, taking in the howling sounds of whatever creatures were causing it. She had to admit this place was pretty terrifying. With nothing but a gray sky, cold wind and no creatures in sight. Taking one last look at where Rina was she quickly disappeared into the horizon.
Rina's eyelid twitched faintly in the darkness. She opened her eyes groggily only to find herself surrounded by water. This scene shocked her out of her senses wiping away whatever sleepiness she was feeling.
'What is this place?' She opened her mouth to cry out only to end up swallowing the water. She expected the water to be salty or taste weird but it was surprisingly sweet. She opened her mouth ready to drink more of the sweet water when she heard a childish voice quib, "Go ahead and drink the water if you want to die."
Rina looked around quickly not finding anything she thought she was hearing things. Opening her mouth once more she heard the same voice again, "You're quite stupid aren't you?" "Who are you calling stupid?!" barked Rina. She ended up swallowing more water which caused her to choke.
The voice sounded again trying to suppress its laughter, "You. Who else is here apart from you?" Rina was about to open her mouth to reply before it warned her again, "Little girl are you that desperate to lose your life?" 'What's that suppose to mean?' Rina thought.
"It means what it means you dimwit." 'Is this thing reading my mind?' she was utterly confused. "It's called telepathy." 'So you can read my mind.' The voice spoke out again sounding even more disdainful than before, "Took you look long to figure it out. You're indeed stupid."
Rina harrumphed, "You're the first person to call me stupid. Come out here and show yourself you coward!" "Who are you calling a coward?"questioned the voice threateningly.
"You!" As soon the word left her mouth she felt a dull pain on her face. She was staring straight at a grizzly old man. He was dressed in faded Taoist robes. His long gray beard was shaking due to anger.
Rina's eyes widened in shock. Not because of how he looked but how tiny he was. After the surprise faded, she started scrutinizing him. The old man turned his face away from her allowing her to look at him.